James O'Shea is born and bred in Toowoomba. His father Pat was also a born and bred local while his mother Cecile is from the Philippines and moved to the Garden City in 1981. James has two younger sisters Kate and Karen who both also live and work in Toowoomba. James is married to a Toowoomba girl Erin Kehoe-O'Shea.

He spent 13 years working at WIN Television Toowoomba, 5 of those as chief of staff. James also has a media background working on radio and in newspapers.

James also owns and operates his own small business KOMM, which is a media and marketing consultancy company, in conjunction with his wife Erin.

James is a chairman of the Toowoomba Mountaineers, member of the Brothers Rugby League Board of Directors, ambassador of Hope Horizons Inc, executive board member of Sports Darling Downs and the vice president of The Great White Campaign to bring a neurosurgeon to Toowoomba.